HC Deb 20 February 1945 vol 408 cc628-30
53. Mr. Geoffrey Hutchinson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to revive the joint substitution machinery which was set up for the purpose of placing ex-Service men in temporary posts in the Civil Service after the last war.

Sir J. Anderson

No, Sir. Conditions are by no means the same as they were during and after the last war and, on this occasion, the Government think it right to concentrate on the provision of opportunities to join the permanent Civil Service.

Mr. Hutchinson

Was not this substitution machinery found very useful after the last war in placing a very large number of ex-Service men in temporary posts in the Civil Service? In these circumstances would my right hon. Friend again give the matter his consideration, and see if similar machinery cannot be used after this war?

Sir J. Anderson

I would certainly not refuse to consider the matter again, if I were convinced that there was a case for departing from the arrangements we contemplate. After the last war there was a continuous recruitment to temporary posts. We now hope to avoid blocking temporary posts to a large extent by making permanent appointments.

54. Mr. G. Hutchinson

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give an assurance that no temporary ex-Service civil servant employed in the Civil Service before September, 1939, will be displaced either directly or indirectly by a new entrant from open competition so long as his services are satisfactory; and whether he will give a similar assurance in respect of ex-Service temporary civil servants employed since September, 1939.

Sir J. Anderson

No, Sir. The White Paper on Recruitment to Established Posts in the Civil Service during the Reconstruction Period (Cmd. 6567) sets out the various methods by which established posts are to be filled. Temporary ex-Service civil servants, like other ex-Service men and women, will have to obtain established posts, if they wish to do so, through the appropriate competitions. The plan provides a substantial preference for ex-Service men.

Mr. Hutchinson

Are there not a very large number of temporary ex-Service civil servants serving at present, who have passed the age limit at which they can be considered for established posts?

Sir J. Anderson

If my hon. and learned Friend meant to refer to ex-Service men of the last war who are civil servants, that is so, but I have no reason to think that the position of these people will be wor- sened under the new arrangements which are contemplated.